How “We Are The Champions” became a bar sing-along favorite

We all know what happens when Queen and Journey blare through the speakers at the bar — everyone, friend and stranger alike, suddenly throw their arms around each other and act like they are auditioning for American Idol on the last day on Earth.

So what is it about “We Are The Champions” that late nights transform it into everyone’s favorite song? I mean, usually it just hides at the bottom of our iTunes under more recent, driving-to-work-appropriate songs.

Musicologist and lecturer at Kendal College in England Alisun Pawley noticed this phenomenon and wondered what set certain songs apart as sure crowd-pleasers.

Visiting pubs and clubs in several towns in Northern England over 30 days, she recorded over 1000 songs played, noting what lyrics riled up the crowds most.

With colleague Daniel Müllensiefen, a music psychologist at Goldsmiths, University of London, she analyzed the most popular tunes to find similarities.

Pawley found that pub frequenters love high-energy songs by male vocalists who feature high chest voices and few frills and trills. In other words, people love anthems.

All of the most popular songs had been on the UK music charts for at least four weeks. And the heartiest singers were usually among a younger crowd in the later hours, probably when most inebriated.

Finally, songs that inspire the most time at the karaoke machine are ones with cultural significance and tradition, which newer songs haven’t been around long enough to match.

Top songs in England include “YMCA” by The Village People, “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison and of course, “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi.

Which songs do you think would make the cut if the same study was done here?